Indian River County principals say they'll make the best of new assignments

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY —Middle and high school principals said they were surprised by Monday's news they were swapping schools — and had no indication the move was coming.

But, they said, they would make the transfers work.

Since hearing of the moves two days ago, most principals already had spoken with their replacements and with those they were replacing.

"We're team players. We're going to do what's best for the district," said Sebastian River High School Principal Daniel Gilbertson, who is moving to Storm Grove Middle School.

Schools Superintendent Fran Adams met Monday with each middle and high school principal informing them of a new plan to move assignments. The district's two high school principals are moving to middle schools, while two middle school principals are going to the high school.

Principals said they would miss the staffs and students at the schools they were leaving. Many hoped to stay at the schools where they have built programs and implemented change. But they added they looked forward to new challenges.

Adams said Monday she wanted to put the principals where their strengths were best suited.

For Vero Beach High School Principal Eric Seymour, who is moving to Oslo Middle School, the move means leaving his alma mater.

"(VBHS) is of course special to me," he said. Seymour became VBHS principal about three years ago. If given the option, Seymour said he would stay at VBHS.

Seymour said it would be tough to leave VBHS, but he planned to do his best at Oslo and help the students.

"It's not really about me. It's about our kids," Seymour said.

While finishing duties with the school year that ended last week, secondary school principals made plans for their new assignments. Right now, that means talking and meeting with each other this week, hoping to make a smooth transition this summer. If the plan gets the approval of the School Board, the changes go into effect July 1.

Principals said they don't have immediate plans for their new schools. Right now, they said they want to get acclimated to the school's culture.

"I'm not looking to turn things upside down before I know what's going on," said Storm Grove Middle School Principal Shawn O'Keefe, who is moving to Vero Beach High School.

After 16 years, 14 of which as principal, Gifford Middle School Principal Dave Kramek is moving back to SRMS, where he previously was a student support specialist.

Kramek said he looked forward to being a SRMS Cowboy again and seeing former colleagues.

"I'm familiar with the school and their accomplishments," he said.

The two middle school principals moving to the high schools said they were excited by the new challenge. Both have previous experience at the high school level as assistant principals.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Todd Racine, who is in his third year at SRMS, and now will move to Sebastian River High School.

Racine was an assistant principal at Oslo Middle for five years and spent about three years as an assistant principal at VBHS. He also was coordinator of adult education for one year.

"SRHS is rich in traditions," Racine said. "I'd just like to build upon those."

O'Keefe is returning to VBHS, where he was an assistant principal for about seven months before being tapped three years ago to open Storm Grove. O'Keefe also spent six years as an assistant principal at SRHS.

"I'm very excited. It's Vero Beach High School. I just truly appreciate the faith the school district is putting in me," O'Keefe said.